Resistin, a product of the
RSTN gene, is a peptide hormone belonging to the class of cysteine-rich secreted
proteins which is termed the RELM family, and is also described as ADSF (Adipose
Tissue-Specific Secretory Factor) and FIZZ3 (Found in Inflammatory Zone). Rat
resistin contains 114 amino acids as a prepeptide, and its hydrophobic signal
peptide is cleaved before secretion. Resistin circulates in rat blood as a
dimeric protein consisting of two 96 amino acid polypeptides, which are
disulfide-linked.

Resistin may be an
important link between obesity and insulin resistance. Mouse resistin,
specifically produced and secreted by adipocyte, acts on skeletal muscle
myocytes, hepatocytes and adipocytes to reduce their sensitivity to insulin.
Steppan et al. have suggested that resistin suppresses the ability of insulin to
stimulate glucose uptake. They have also suggested that resistin is present at
elevated levels in the blood of obese mice, and is down regulated by fasting and
antidiabetic drugs (TZDs). On the other hand, several studies demonstrated
reduced resistin expression in adipose tissue of obese mice and increased levels
in leptin deficient ob/ob mice and Zucker diabetic fatty rats in response
to TZDs.

Other studies have shown
that mouse resistin increases during the differentiation of adipocytes, but it
also seems to inhibit adipogenesis. Nevertheless, the human adipogenic
differentiation is likely to be associated with a down regulation of resistin
gene expression.

The B-BridgeRat Resistin ELISA Kitis designed to measure the
concentration of rat resistin in rat serum or tissue culture medium.